Universal electrical connector for miniature electronic modules

ABSTRACT

A universal electrical connector for mounting miniature electronic modules having a plurality of pins thereon. The connector has a case containing a plurality of sockets therein. A slip plate is located on said case and has a plurality of holes therein substantially aligned with said sockets. A locking shaft mounted on said case is capable of moving said slip plate and thereby the holes of said slip plate into and slightly out of alignment with said sockets. The module is located within said slip plate and the pins are inserted in said holes and said sockets. Since said holes and said sockets are of a greater diameter than said pins, in one position of the slip plate the pins are in the center of the sockets and out of contact therewith and in another position of the slip plate the pins engage a wall of said sockets in order to make electrical contact therewith.

O Unlted States Patent [111 3,571,780

[72] Inventors Robert A Roaming 2,982,883 5/1961 Gordy 339/174XTimonium; 3,489,986 1/1970 Frederick 339/75(M)X Donald K. Mac Kenzie,Jr., Lutherville, FOREIGN PATENTS 961,713 6/1964 Great Britain 339/75[2]] Appl. No. 849,471 [22] Filed Aug. 12, 1969 Przrnary Examiner-MarvinA. Champion [45] patented Man 23 1971 Arszstant Examiner-Terrell P.Lewis [73] Assignee The linited .S tates of America as represent dAttorneys-Harry A. Herbert, Jr. and Jacob N. El'llCh 'by the Secretaryorine'mr'mce [54] FOR ABSTRACT: A universal electricakconnector formounting 9 Claims 8 Drawing Figs mmrature electronic modules havmg aplurality of pins thereon. The connector has a case containing aplurahty of U-S. o ket {be al A plate is located on said case and has a200/51'12, 339/75, L 14 plurality of holes therein substantially alignedwith said lnt. Cl- .gljq ockets A locking shaft mounted on aid Case iscapable of H011 33/44, H01! 33/66 moving said slip plate and thereby theholes of said slip plate Fleld ol'Search into and out of alignment withaid ket The 75, 174,44,42, 52, 200/16, module is located within saidslip plate and the pins are in- 17, 76, 78, 51-09, 51-12, 61-39, 61-53,serted in said holes and said sockets. Since said holes and said 153-158sockets are of a greater diameter than said pins, in one positi n of thesli late the ins are in the center of the sockets [56] References cuedand out of corFta ct therewith and in another position of the slipUNITED STATES PATENTS plate the pins engage a wall of said sockets inorder to make 12 4/1937 Beall 339/75(M) electrical contact therewith.

UNIVERSAL EILEQ'IIIIICAL CONNECTOR FOR MINIATURE IEhElCTlilONIfiCMODULES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally toelectrical connectors and, more particularly to a zero-insertion-forceelectrical connector which finds utility, for example, as a connector ina testing apparatus for miniature electronic modules or in computerprogram panels.

Miniature electronic modules are used extensively in printed circuitassemblies as standardized building blocks to provide complete circuitfunctions in an easily replaced, expendable package. Typically, thesemodules are molded epoxy rectangular prisms, with electricalconnectionsprovided by wire pins, arranged in a matrix. On a printed circuit board,connection to the pins are normally made by means of small, staked-insleeves which provide spring action to grip the pins.

Most of these electronic modules must be given certain electrical teststo determine whether or not they are suitable for use. The time requiredfor the testing operations depends largely upon the time required tomake the electrical connections with the leads of the components toinclude them in predetermined circuits of test sets.

Problems arise when these miniature electronic modules are to beinserted within the test equipment. I-Ieretofore the connection of thesemodules to an electrical circuit was accomplished by a spring actionsleeve to grip the pins of the electronic modules. Due to theconsiderable force required to insert the pins simultaneously into thespring action sleeves of 'the test equipment, extreme care had to beexercised in replacing a module to prevent damage to the pins and to thesleeves. Therefore, testing of these modules became not only extremelytime consuming but also resulted frequently in the damaging of the pinsduring the insertion or removal processes.

Another problem arose when the spring sleeves used in the test equipmentengaged the incorrect row or column of pins on the modules, therebycausing possible electrical damage to the module circuits. Furthermorein many instances the test equipment applied power to the modules at animproper time during the insertion or removal of the module from thetest equipment.

Not only would problems arise when testing these miniature electronicmodules, similar problems also came about when these modules were to beused in, for example, computer program panel receptacles wherein it wasnecessary for such a module to have a density of as many as 100 pins persquare inch. Due to the density of the pins it became impractical toinsert these modules within the conventional spring-type sleeves of thereceptacles, due to the excessive insertion force necessary for mating.The problems which arose for the test equipment explained hereinabovealso arose when inserting these modules in computer program panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The universal electrical connector of thisinvention overcomes the problems heretofore encountered and as set forthin detail hereinabove.

The electrical connector of this invention is preferably made of amolded plastic case which in addition to providing a means of mountingthe electronic module also houses the socket sleeves and the slip plate.

The socket sleeves into which the pins of the electronic module are tobe inserted are a length of thin walled copper or brass tubing, slightlyflared at one end and crimped near the other. The sleeves are locatedwithin a pocket or depression located at the bottom of the case and areslightly oversized with respect to the pins of the electronic module,thereby allowing for a slight sidewise movement of the pin within thesleeve. The space between the individual sleeves is tilled with a lowdensity foam or resin which provides a restoring force to the sleevesand holds them in place.

A slip plate having a recessed section containing a matching matrix ofholes to the sleeves is located within an indented portion of the caseabove the pocket containing the sleeves. The slip plate further has anelongated hole therein which engages a cam provided on a locking shaft.

The locking shaft located at one end of the case has two cams thereon,one for engaging the elongated hole in the slip plate in order toprovide translational movement to the slip plate, and another toactivate a switch on, for example, the energizing means of a testapparatus.

There is a removable key plate, which has a window therein to provide ameans to properly locate the electronic module with respect to thesocket matrix, located in the slip plate. A separate key plate is usedfor each different sized module to be tested or for each different sizedmodule to be inserted within a computer program panel. A modulerestraining bar is mounted on the locking shaft and isapositioned insuch a manner making it virtually impossible to insert or remove amodule within the key plate when the locking shaft is in the lockedposition.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide universalelectrical connector which is of high reliability and which requireszero-insertion-force to thereby preclude damage to either the modulepins or socket sleeves during module insertion or extraction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a universal electricalconnector which has a foolproof electrical interlock which prevents theapplication of power to the module during the insertion or removalprocess.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a universalelectrical connector which is .economical to produce and which utilizesconventional, currently available components that lend themselves tostandard mass producing manufacturing techniques.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 of the drawing is a plan view of theuniversal electrical connector of this invention with the locking shaftand restraining bar not shown;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the universal electrical connector ofthis invention taken along line 22 of FIG l;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the universal electrical connector of thisinvention taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the universal electrical connectorof this invention taken along line H of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 4i;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the locking shaft ofthe universal electrical connector of this invention showing the twocams thereon;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of a modified lockingshaft of the universal electrical connector of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the electronic module to beutilized with the universal electrical connector of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The universal electricalconnector ll) of this invention is best shown in FIGS. I through 3 ofthe drawing. The universal connector it) is made up of a case 12preferably of hard molded plastic, which has formed on the bottomthereof a pocket M or depression (best shown in FIGS. 2-4) wherein aplurality of socket sleeves l6 are located.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is shown that the socket sleeves 16are lengths of thin walled tubing made of any suitable material such ascopper or brass flared slightly at one end 44 and crimped at 46 (shownin FIG. 5). The sleeves 16 are of an internal diameter slightly greaterthan the diameter of the pins 48 of the electronic module 32 (shown inFIG. 8). The larger internal diameter of the sleeves 16 allow for slightsidewise movement of the pins 48 within the sleeves 16, the purpose ofwhich will be explained hereinbelow. A flexible foam or suitable resin47 such as Sylgard 184 fills the pocket 14 of case 12 after the sleeves16 have been inserted therein and holds the sleeves 16 securely inplace.

A slip plate 13 made of any suitable material such as hard plastic islocated within an indented section of the upper portion of case 12 andis mounted in slideable relation therewith. The slip plate. 18 as bestshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is prevented from any other movement outside ofthe slideable movement within case 12 by a mating dovetail arrangement20 or by any other suitable arrangement which would prevent the slipplate 18 from being removed from the case 12. The slip plate 18 also hasa recessed section 22 therein. The bottom portion of recess 22 containsa plurality of holes 50 (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the sleeves 16.The holes 50 also have an internal diameter slightly greater than thediameter of pins 48 and are further countersunk to provide lead-ins forthe module pins 48.

A removable key plate 24 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4), also preferably madeof hard plastic, is located within recessed section 22. This key plate24 can be inserted within the recessed section 22 of slip plate 18 inonly one position. The desired position being determined by any suitablealignment means such as female portion 26 within slip plate 18 and maleportion 23 on key plate 24 (see FIG. 1). The removable key plate 24 hasa window 30 located therein which provides a means to properly locatethe electronic module 32 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 8) with respect to thesocket sleeves 16. A separate key plate 24 would be utilized with eachdifferent sized module 32.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a locking shaft 34 is mounted within andextends in both directions beyond case 12. On the upper end of lockingshaft 34 is fixedly secured by any suitable securing means a modulerestraining bar 37 which prevents the accidental insertion or removal ofthe electronic module 32 when the shaft 34 is in its locked position(shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). There is an elongated hole 36 located at oneend of slip plate 18 through which the shaft 34 extends. A suitableretaining means such as retaining ring 38 secures the shaft 34 in placebut allows for rotatable motion thereof. Within elongated hole 36 islocated any suitable device such as cam 40 fixedly secured to shaft 34and which is utilized to provide the translational movement of slipplate 18 within case 12. Another cam 42 is located at the bottom ofshaft 34 and secured thereto by any suitable holding means such assetscrew 35. This cam is arranged so as to engage and operate a suitableenergizing means 44 or motor when the locking shaft 34 is in the lockedposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawing, it is shown that theshaft 34 may have a variety of cams 40 and 42 located thereon. Forexample, in FIG. 6 the cams 40 and 42 are identical in structure or asshown in FIG. 7 one of the cams 40 may be an external type cam locatedon shaft 34 and the other cam 42' may be made ofa flat surface 52.

MODE OF OPERATION Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawing, the typicaloperation of the universal electrical connector of this invention isbasically as follows:

1. The locking shaft 34 is rotated by turning the restraining bar 37 inthe clockwise direction and to a nonobstructing position. This enablescam 40 to engage the wall of hole 36 and translate the slip plate 18 soas to align the slip plate holes 50 with the socket sleeves l6.

2. The key plate 24, corresponding to the electronic module 32 to betested, is then inserted in the slip plate recession 22 with the femaleand male portions 26 and 2%, respectively, in engagement with eachother.

3. A module 32 is inserted in the key plate window 30, with the pins 48of the module 32 passing through the holes 50 of the slip plate 18 andinto the holes of the socket sleeves 16.

4. The locking shaft 34 is rotated counterclockwise to translate theslip plate 18 along with the key plate 24 and the module 32 until themodule pins 48 contact the walls of the socket sleeves 16.Simultaneously, the restraining bar 37 is brought to a position over themodule 32 thus preventing its accidental removal and the cam 42 engagesthe energizing means 44 thereby enabling the power circuits in a testapparatus or in a computer to operate. It is clearly evident thatbecause the cam 42 engages energizing means 44 only when the module 32is properly in place there can be no accidental application of power tothe electronic module 32. Furthermore, it is quite obvious that sinceboth the internal diameters of the holes 50 and the socket sleeves 16are greater than the diameter of the pins 48 on module 32, no force needbe applied to the pins 48 of the module 32 during the insertion orremoval processes. Thereby, no damage can occur to the pins 48 of module32 during this insertion for removal process. It is only after theinsertion has taken place that the pins 48, along with the slip plate18, are moved in such a manner that the pins now make contact with thesides of the socket sleeves 16 and thereby complete a circuit.

. After completion of the test of the module 32 or its use within acomputer panel, the locking shaft 34 is again rotated in the clockwisedirection back to the unlocked position. In the unlocked position cam 42disengages the energizing means 44, restraining bar 37 is out of theobstructing position, and the holes 50 and sleeves 16 are aligned,thereby enabling the module 32 to be easily withdrawn. Any suitable typeof module 32 can be inserted within the removable key plate window 30 aslong as the window 30 of a suitable key plate 24 matches the electronicmodule 32 to be used.

High reliability is insured by the universal electrical connector 10 ofthis invention since the socket sleeves 16 are selfaligning due to theflare 44 and the fact that no damage can occur to either the module pins48 or the connector sleeves 16 during the module insertion or withdrawalbecause of the zero-insertion-force required.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particularembodiment it will be understood to those skilled in the art that theinvention is capable of a variety of alternative embodiments within thespirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A universal electrical connector comprising a case, a plurality ofsocket sleeves mounted in said case, a slip plate moveably mounted onsaid case having a plurality of holes therein, said holes beingsubstantially aligned with said socket sleeves, a locking shaftrotatably mounted on said case and operatively connected to said slipplate, said locking shaft having a restraining bar fixedly securedthereto and being positioned above said holes in said slip plate,whereby rotation of said locking shaft moves said slip plate and therebysaid holes of said slip plate into and slightly out of alignment withsaid socket sleeves.

2. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 1 wherein saidslip plate has an elongated slot therein, said locking shaft protrudesthrough said slot, and a cam is mounted on said locking shaft andlocated within said slot whereby rotation of said locking shaft causessaid cam to engage a wall of said slot thereby moving said slip plate.

3. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 2 wherein saidlocking shaft has another cam mounted thereon, an energizing means isfixedly secured to said case and in operative relation with said othercam whereby said other cam actuates said energizing means when saidholes of said slip plate are slightly out of alignment with said socketsleeves.

45. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 2 wherein apocket is formed in the bottom of said case, said socket sleeves beinglocated within said pocket, and held in position by a resin. 5. Auniversal electrical connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said slipplate has a recess therein, a removable key plate is located within saidrecess, and said key plate has a window therein providing a means toproperly locate an eiectronic module therein.

6. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 5 wherein saidslip plate has a female portion therein and said key plate has a maleportion thereon whereby the key plate can fit within said recess of saidslip plate in only one position.

7. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 6 wherein saidlocking shaft has another cam mounted thereon, an energizing means isfixedly secured to said case and in operative relation with said othercam whereby said other cam actuates said energizing means when saidholes of said slip plate are slightly out of alignment with said socketsleeves.

d. The combination of an electronic module having a plurality of pinsthereon and a universal electrical connector comprising a case, aplurality of socket sleeves of predetermined diameter mounted in saidcase, a slip plate movably mounted on said case having a plurality ofholes therein of a predetermined diameter, said holes beingsubstantially aligned with said socket sleeves, said slip plate furtherhaving an elongated slot therein a locking shaft is rotatably mounted onsaid case and protrudes through said slot, a cam is mounted on saidlocking shaft and located within said slot whereby rotation of saidlocking shaft causes said cam to engage a wall of said slot moving saidslip plate and thereby the holes of said slip plate into and slightlyout of alignment with said socket sleeves, said slip plate has a recesstherein, a removable key plate is located within said recess, said keyplate having a window therein, said electronic module being locatedwithin said window and having each of said pins inserted within each ofsaid holes of said slip plate and said socket sleeves, and the internaldiameter of each of said holes and socket sleeves being slightly greaterthan the diameter of each said pins whereby rotation of said lockingshaft moves said slip plate holes slightly out of alignment with saidsocket sleeves and thereby enables said module pins to engage the wallsof said socket sleeves.

9. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 8 wherein saidlocking shaft has another cam mounted thereon, an energizing means isfixedly secured to said case and in operative relation with said othercam whereby said other cam actuates said energizing means when saidholes of said slip plate are slightly out of alignment with said socketsleeves and engaging the walls of said socket sleeves.

1. A universal electrical connector comprising a case, a plurality ofsocket sleeves mounted in said case, a slip plate moveably mounted onsaid case having a plurality of holes therein, said holes beingsubstantially aligned with said socket sleeves, a locking shaftrotatably mounted on said case and operatively connected to said slipplate, said locking shaft having a restraining bar fixedly securedthereto and being positioned above said holes in said slip plate,whereby rotation of said locking shaft moves said slip plate and therebysaid holes of said slip plate into and slightly out of alignment withsaid socket sleeves.
 2. A universal electrical connector as defined inclaim 1 wherein said slip plate has an elongated slot therein, saidlocking shaft protrudes through said slot, and a cam is mounted on saidlocking shaft and located within said slot whereby rotation of saidlocking shaft causes said cam to engage a wall of said slot therebymoving said slip plate.
 3. A universal electrical connector as definedin claim 2 wherein said locking shaft has another cam mounted thereon,an energizing means is fixedly secured to said case and in operativerelation with said other cam whereby said other cam actuates saidenergizing means when said holes of said slip plate are slightly out ofalignment with said socket sleeves.
 4. A universal electrical connectoras defined in claim 2 wherein a pocket is formed in the bottom of saidcase, said socket sleeves being located within said pocket, and held inposition by a resin.
 5. A universal electrical connector as defined inclaim 4 wherein said slip plate has a recess therein, a removable keyplate is located within said recess, and said key plate has a windowtherein providing a means to properly locate an electronic moduletherein.
 6. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 5wherein said slip plate has a female portion therein and said key platehas a male portion thereon whereby the key plate can fit within saidrecess of said slip plate in only one position.
 7. A universalelectrical connector as defined in claim 6 wherein said locking shafthas another cam mounted thereon, an energizing means is fixedly securedto said case and in operative relation with said other cam whereby saidother cam actuates said energizing means when said holes of said slipplate are slightly out of alignment with said socket sleeves.
 8. Thecombination of an electronic module having a plurality of pins thereonand a universal electrical connector comprising a case, a plurality ofsocket sleeves of predetermined diameter mounted in said case, a slipplate movably mounted on said case having a plurality of holes thereinof a predetermined diameter, said holes being substantially aligned withsaid socket sleeves, said slip plate further having an elongated slottherein, a locking shaft is rotatably mounted on said case and protrudesthrough said slot, a cam is mounted on said locking shaft and locatedwithin said slot whereby rotation of said locking shaft causes said camto engage a wall of said slot moving said slip plate and thereby theholes of said slip plate into and slightly out of alignment with saidsocket sleeves, said slip plate has a recess therein, a removable keyplate is located within said recess, said key plate having a windowtherein, said electronic module being located within said window andhaving each of said pins inserted within each of said holes of said slipplate and said socket sleeves, and the internal diameter of each of saidholes and socket sleeves being slightly greater than the diameter ofeach said pins whereby rotation of said locking shaft moves said slipplate holes slightly out of alignment with said socket sleeves andthereby enables said module pins to engage the walls of said socketsleeves.
 9. A universal electrical connector as defined in claim 8wherein said locking shaft has another cam mounTed thereon, anenergizing means is fixedly secured to said case and in operativerelation with said other cam whereby said other cam actuates saidenergizing means when said holes of said slip plate are slightly out ofalignment with said socket sleeves and engaging the walls of said socketsleeves.